Treatment:

Medicines called antimony-containing compounds are the main drugs used to treat leishmaniasis. These include:

• Meglumine antimonate
• Sodium stibogluconate

Other drugs that may be used include:

• Amphotericin B
• Pentamidine

Plastic surgery may be needed to correct disfigurement by destructive facial lesions (cutaneous leishmaniasis). Removal of the spleen (splenectomy) may be required in drug-resistant cases of visceral leishmaniasis.

Expectations (prognosis):

Cure rates are high with the proper medicine. Treatment should be received before damage to the immune system occurs. Cutaneous leishmaniasis may lead to disfiguration.

Death usually results from complications (such as other infections) rather than from the disease itself. Death often occurs within 2 years.

Complications:

• Deadly infections due to immune system damage
• Disfiguration of the face
• Hemorrhage (bleeding)

Calling your health care provider:

Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of leishmaniasis after visiting an area where the disease is known to occur.